We report the composite anodes that show a high first cycle efficiency of ca. 100% and a large capacity of ca. 400-450 mAh g(-1) for Li-ion batteries. The composites are prepared by mixing or ball-milling the hexagonal lithium transition-metal nitrides with different carbonaceous materials, such as the disordered carbon and the graphitic carbon. Both the lithium metal nitrides and the carbonaceous materials are electrochemically active in the electrodes within the potential window of 0-1.4 V vs. Li/Li+. Additionally, a high cycling stability is feasible due to the low volumetric effects of the composite electrodes upon Li intercalation and extraction. However, the voltage hysteresis during the charge and discharge is obvious because the two active hosts react with lithium at different potentials in the electrode. Some factors influencing the electrochemical behavior of the composite anodes are discussed. (c) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.